Work is under way to prevent the ecological damage that’s contributed to the deaths of aquatic life in east Auckland’s waterways.
About 30 eels were found dead in the upper estuary in Huntington Park near Ti Rakau Drive, Burswood, in December 2020.
The incident was reported to and investigated by Auckland Council.
A council spokesperson said at the time that upon inspection the waterway was running clear and there were no obvious signs the water had been polluted.
The water’s pH levels were tested and found to be within the normal range.
Experts conducted follow-up site visits to the location over the following two weeks but nothing of interest was found.
The Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum’s Clean Stream initiative is designed to monitor the water quality of local streams in an effort to prevent such incidents in future.
The forum’s work is supported by Auckland Council and the five local boards, including the Howick Local Board, that border the estuary.
It’s led by co-chairs Bruce Kendall and Julie Chambers.
Kendall says funding has been secured for three new water quality sensors which will be installed in the feeder waterways to Pakuranga Creek.
“All those involved with the project are passionate about improving our natural environment and believe this project is a good step in the right direction,” he says.
“Too often stream life is dead and the pollutants are gone before it can be determined what happened, such as with that large eel death event [in December 2019].”
Kendall says the five local boards that support the forum’s work have funded water quality sensors.
“Elm Park School is hosting the sensor relay which connects the sensor to the internet.
“Bucklands Beach Yacht Club is hosting a sensor and relay so it can get a better understanding of how the tide levels affect the results in the streams.
“There are plans to install more sensors in key points in the Pakuranga and Botany areas and the sites have been identified and approved.
“One will be at the location where the eel deaths were [near Ti Rakau Drive].”
Kendall says the work is a “citizen science project” and anyone can ask to be involved.
“It’s ideal for schools, community groups, or individuals.”
The forum has a range of advice about how people can help to protect the natural environment.
Only rain should go down a drain, as they’re pathways to streams.
It says people should keep wash-off from building work or cleaning activities away from stormwater drains and streams.
People should not use herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers within 10 metres of a stream, the forum says.
“These can be toxic to fish and wildlife, and can pose a threat to public health.
“Never dump animal, fish and plant waste into stormwater drains or streams.
“All this type of waste can cause excessive algae growth and contributes to bacterial contamination which is harmful to stream life.”
For more information on the forum and its work go online to www.facebook.com/tamakiforum.
Report dumping and stream pollution to the council’s pollution hotline on 09 377 3107.
